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I have had acne since I was 13, been on 3 cycles of Accutane and am Aldactone now (have been since 2009). It is not that effective.
I use Clean and Clear Oil Controlling Astringent. No topical was ever effective without Accutane and I'm thinking of trying it again because I am at my wit's end with acne marks/scarring/problems of inelastic skin plus small cysts, blackheads, and whiteheads.
This is my advice to the teens with cystic acne--use 1% hydrocortisone cream and band aids. Look for a variation with as few comedogenic ingredients as possible. I used to mix a blob of hydrocortisone cream with benzoyl peroxide and let that flatten the zit. It would still be pink.
But that was on Accutane, and before adult acne. I would also use Band-Aids.
From the NHS website:
If you have any concerns about the information below, or need any help understanding it and relating it to your own situation, you should talk to your GP or pharmacist (chemist). You can also phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Hydrocortisone is a steroid, which may be used to treat inflammation. You can buy hydrocortisone cream over-the-counter (OTC) from a pharmacy for the treatment of:
- Irritant dermatitis.
- Contact allergic dermatitis.
- Insect bite reactions.
- Mild to moderate eczema.
However, it may not be sold for use on the delicate skin of the face.
Long-term and/or high strength steroids applied to the skin can damage it, and on the face this would be particularly noticeable. This problem is not known to occur commonly with OTC hydrocortisone, but it is still sensible to avoid using it on the face unless absolutely necessary. Also some common skin conditions affecting the face can be caused or made worse by hydrocortisone, for example, impetigo, rosacea and acne.
If you have a skin condition affecting your face you ought to see your GP first, rather than treating it with hydrocortisone cream yourself. GPs can prescribe hydrocortisone for use on the face, having first assessed if this is the correct treatment and if it is safe for you.
Therefore you should not use OTC hydrocortisone preparations on the face unless they are prescribed by a doctor. Pharmacists are not allowed to sell them for this purpose.
Hey Bizz,
Does this work on cysts/bumps that have been there a really long time? I have one that's going on 8 weeks and I'm not sure if it' even active. It's sore so I think it is but last time I got a cortisone shot into the derm said it was kinda hard and he thought it might be scar tissue..............so will this work on something like that?